How to Open a Car Wash
Opening a car wash can be your ticket to owning your own business. Car washes can range from fully automated, conveyor-belt facilities, to a hand wash underneath a canopy. Depending on the type of car wash, start-up costs can be affordable, with little overhead to weigh you down financially. Fully automated and self-serve car washes are expensive to open because of the equipment and facilities needed. However, a hand-washing and detailing business can be opened with limited funds. Achieve your car wash goals by finding the least expensive path, becoming your own boss in the process.
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Things You'll Need
- Business plan
- Car wash location
- Car washing equipment and supplies
- Business licenses and permits
Instructions
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Write a business plan. Writing a business plan allows you to define your exact goals, and is a requirement if financing is required. According to the Small Business Administration, business plans detail each aspect of the business and include a concise overview of the business plan, a market overview, a company description and the management structure. Sales marketing, products being sold, projected financial details and a funding request, if required, are other important aspects the business plan should address.
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Find a location. Locations are important in the car wash business. A good location has high traffic and convenience; it should not be difficult for customers to pull in and get their car washed. Contacting gas station owners who may have an open garage bay available, or space on the side of their building, may lead to a profitable business arrangement. Another option, which requires no location, is to offer a home car wash, where you clean the customer's car at her home.
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Register your business with local and state authorities. Businesses require permits and licenses. A basic requirement for most businesses is a tax permit, especially if products are being sold. There are also state laws concerning the disposal and recycling of waste water. Employee and trade name registration at the state level is also required. A good place to start is to contact the local city hall with your car wash plans.
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Obtain the proper equipment, depending on the type of car wash. Effectively washing a car demands specific supplies and equipment. While automated and self-serve car washes require expensive, specialized equipment, a hand car wash also needs the proper hoses, detergents, brushes and waxes.
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Hire staff. Depending on the hours of the business, additional staff may be required. If the car wash is open seven days a week, 12 hours a day, per the business plan, hiring an extra person or two may be necessary. To keep expenses down, hire only reliable, part-time workers. Family, friends, high school and college students are possible candidates.
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Advertise your car wash. Customers need to know you are open and the services you provide. Advertising in local newspapers and coupon mailers is a good start, as is proper signage at the car wash location. Starting out small and using any profits to increase marketing awareness is an option, allowing you to test certain mediums and markets to see what works.
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Start washing cars. Once the prerequisites are completed and the car wash is open for business, you can start reaping the rewards of owning your own business.
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References
Resources
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